South Africa´s Kallis ends international career

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis on Wednesday announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.

The 38-year-old, South Africa´s all-time leading Test scorer with 13,174 runs, had already brought the curtain down on his Test career in December.

His decision means he will no longer be available for the Proteas´ one day and Twenty20 sides and rules him out of taking part in next year´s World Cup.

The former Middlesex and Glamorgan star´s last international outing was the recent 2-1 one day series win in Sri Lanka.

“I realized in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far,” Kallis said.

“I just knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.

“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa, the team, the team sponsors, my sponsors, the fans and all the people who have been involved in my career.

It has been an amazing journey.”I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder and, if possible, to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend the IPL (Indian Premier League) title we won earlier this year.”